Scholars Explore Iran’s Pathways to Power

 Geography, National Identity, Resources at the Core

TEHRAN – Iran is examining how its geographic advantages, historical identity, and strategic resources can be leveraged to enhance its regional and global influence, according to experts at an academic seminar. 

The eighth session in a series of “Foundations of Iranian Progress” workshops, organized by the Center for the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress, focused on the role of geographic capacities and strategic reserves in advancing the country’s development. 
The event brought together scholars, researchers, and policy analysts from Iranian universities and think tanks.
Despite its vast territory, diverse climate, and abundant natural resources, Iran has historically struggled to translate these advantages into sustained regional and international influence. Its proximity to key geopolitical hubs, access to critical waterways, extensive energy reserves, and rich mineral deposits give it considerable potential for broad-based national development, experts said.
Muhammadreza Hafeznia, a professor at Tarbiat Modares University, emphasized the complex nature of Iranian identity, noting that it is deeply intertwined with both the country’s historical culture and Islamic values. 
He described this dual identity as a strategic asset for addressing what he called the “identity uncertainty” among younger generations, exacerbated by globalization, media exposure, and cultural shifts. 
Hafeznia argued that the Iranian national identity cannot be separated from Islam and that its integration offers a foundation for social cohesion and a stable position both domestically and internationally. 
He warned that failing to strengthen this hybrid identity could undermine national stability and social unity. 
He also stressed the role of education and media in transmitting a historically grounded yet contemporary Iranian-Islamic identity, noting that such efforts would reinforce domestic cohesion and enhance Iran’s soft power on the international stage.
Hafeznia also analyzed Iran’s geographic and strategic advantages, pointing to the country’s role as a transit hub that could generate economic and geopolitical leverage if managed strategically. 
Its central position in several regional systems allows it to exert influence through intelligent regional engagement, while proximity to major global energy reserves positions Iran to enhance its international standing. 
Hafeznia argued that historical mismanagement of these capacities has often turned opportunities into threats, citing examples from both World Wars and subsequent regional conflicts. 
He said a dynamic approach to national power, incorporating technology, management capacity, and social organization, is essential for Iran to reclaim its strategic role.
Iran’s natural wealth, including energy reserves, minerals, fertile lands, and tourism assets, offers significant opportunities for sustainable development. 
Hafeznia highlighted the potential of international tourism, renewable energy, and traditional cultural industries, including handicrafts and medicinal plants. He said these sectors require scientific management, investment in technology, and effective marketing to realize their economic potential fully.
The seminar’s second speaker, Murad Kaviani-Rad, a professor at Kharazmi University, focused on Iran’s acute water challenges, warning that persistent drought and overextraction of groundwater and surface water pose serious threats to the country’s stability and development. 
He said Iran’s water scarcity is compounded by uneven geographic distribution, climate change, and mismanagement. With roughly 90 percent of the nation’s water consumed by agriculture, far higher than in developed countries, unsustainable inter-basin water transfers have caused environmental stress and undermined local economies. 
He cited cases in Isfahan and Tehran, where population growth and industrial activity have outpaced local water capacity, exacerbating the crisis.
Kaviani-Rad stressed that water insecurity has both quantitative and qualitative dimensions, affecting livelihoods, economic productivity, and ecosystem sustainability. 
External pressures, such as upstream dams in neighboring countries, have further reduced Iran’s water access, highlighting the need for long-term domestic solutions. 
He outlined measures including population redistribution, investment in desalination, modernization of urban and irrigation networks, wastewater recycling, and reform of agricultural practices. 
He said comprehensive policy coordination at local, national, and regional levels is essential to ensure water security and prevent future crises.
The seminar concluded that Iran’s national power and development trajectory depend on a holistic understanding of its identity, geographic position, and natural resources, alongside strategic governance and technology-driven management. 
The series of “Foundations of Iranian Progress” workshops, held biweekly by the Center for the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress, aims to examine critical issues related to Iran’s sustainable development and global role.